The mood was festive Saturday afternoon as Roeland Park put on RoeFest to celebrate the city’s 75th anniversary.
Featuring carnival games, a craft fair, live music, food trucks and more, the festival drew lots of people to the Price Chopper parking lot at 4950 Roe Blvd.
For Roeland Park resident Katie Chaffee-McClure, the event was a chance to open her first craft fair booth with business partner Jill Clements.
“It seemed doable. I like sewing, and I wanted to have a reason to try some things,” said Chafee-McClure.
That kind of community connection was important to attendee Lindsay Walther.
“Any type of situation where I get to support local businesses — I’m there,” she said.
Kourtney Leibman, a member of the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, tried out the carnival games like the ring toss with her 4-year-old son, Oliver.
“It’s really family-oriented, which I like,” she said.
The variety of things to do at the event appealed to 14-year-old Chakra Nelson, who got her face painted.
“I like how you can do a lot of activities and have fun,” said Nelson, a Roeland Park resident.
After lots of rain in the last few weeks, the weather turned sunny in time for the festival.
“It’s a nice day. It’s a beautiful time to have a little carnival,” said James Engelhardt of neighboring Fairway, who was there with his granddaughter.
The Johnson County Library offered storytime at the event for anyone who wanted to listen.
“We just really try to meet people where they are. We’re trying to do more things on Saturdays to accommodate people who are working and can’t come during the week,” said Lisa Nason, program specialist for the library.
Volunteers kept the event running smoothly. Haile Sims, another member of the city’s diversity committee, said volunteering at the festival was a way of showing his support for Roeland Park.
“I’ve lived in Roeland Park for 10 years. I just really like this community and wanted this event to be successful,” Sims said.
See more of our pictures from Roefest:
